U.S. fans cheer after Missy Franklin claimed gold in the women's 100-meter backstroke on Monday. Franklin will feature in the 200-meter backstroke on Wednesday.

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What's different this time is you can watch everything live - via the Olympic world TV feed - on NBCOlympics.com, assuming you meet the requirement of getting your TV from a cable/satellite/telco distributor.

At least NBC's ancient formula makes it easy to plan your viewing. Traditional Olympic TV draws, this week led by swimming, gymnastics and diving, will get plenty of daytime coverage. But the most-mediagenic moments will always be in prime time (all times ET):

NBC at 11 a.m. :U.S. stars including Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Missy Franklin will be on hand for qualifiers involving at least 14 races over five events. But again, even if an asteroid hits the pool - actually, especially if an asteroid hits the pool - the must-see TV action will be held for NBC prime time.

MSNBC at 11 a.m. : Singles final in the women's table tennis live. Whatever you think of this sport, at least you won't already know who's won as you watch

NBC at 1:20 p.m. : Every four years, the Summer Games give you a way to watch sports you never otherwise watch, partly because such sports rarely get on TV. Today's sampler: women's water polo, as the U.S. takes on Spain.

NBC at 3:00 p.m. : Presumably, a U.S.-China showdown comes as close anything in today's Olympic to the old U.S.-Soviet showdowns that were such ratings-grabbers during the Cold War. So if you're into flag-waving, watch the U.S. women's volleyball team play China and try to enjoy it as a clash of cultural values.

NBC at 8 p.m. Prime-time coverage with swimming and diving finals, the gold for men's all-around champion and a side order of beach volleyball should make this one of NBC's highest-rated nights.